Any fears that Watford and Leicester City’s Premier League encounter would prove to be a cagy dull contest have been dispelled in the opening half. But the game is goalless at the interval.

Three changes were made to the Watford side which started the defeat at Manchester United. In came Nathan Ake, Mario Suarez and Nordin Amrabat in place of Jose Holebas, Valon Behrami and Almen Abdi.

But in the warm-up Miguel Britos picked up an injury. Flores restored Holebas to the starting XI and Ake went to centre-back.

It’s a position the Chelsea loanee has played before and he was called into early action.

Ake first had to block a shot on goal from Jamie Vardy after the Foxes striker rounded Heurelho Gomes before making a vital clearance after the Hornets goalkeeper had denied Christian Fuchs’ low drive.

The young Dutchman then came close to breaking the deadlock as his header from a Ben Watson cross clipped the crossbar.

The pace of Vardy was always going to provide a threat given Sebastian Prödl is not the quickest centre-back across the ground.

The England international volleyed a presentable opportunity wide early into the game before wasting a better chance in the 21st minute.

Vardy beat Prödl to a loose ball and passed to Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian broke towards goal before squaring the ball to the striker. But he, under pressure from Prödl, shot wide.

Watford’s best chance of the opening period fell to Troy Deeney. Quick feet from Amrabat got him past Fuchs. He fed Odion Ighalo out wide and sprinted into the box. The Nigerian picked out Amrabat in the area but he mistimed his volley.

The ball broke for Deeney 12 yards out, however, and he fired towards goal. But the shot took a deflection off Wes Morgan and flew into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.

Chances dried up as the half progressed. Morgan headed tamely at Gomes for Leicester while Deeney fired well over for the Hornets.

Watford ended the half the stronger of the two sides but they weren't able to open the scoring. 

Watford: Gomes; Nyom, Ake, Prödl, Holebas; Capoue, Watson, Suarez; Amrabat, Deeney; Ighalo.

Watford substitutes: Pantilimon, Paredes, Behrami, Guedioura, Abdi, Anya, Oulare.

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Kanté, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy.

Leicester City substitutes: Schwarzer, King, Amartey, Schlupp Gray, Ulloa, Wasilewski.